West Hartford Police secured a warrant and after searching a property on New Britain Avenue, were able to recover stolen property and charge suspects with drug offenses and and involvement in 20 car burglaries.

Alejandro Rodriguez (left) and Quinton Prince. Photos courtesy of West Hartford Police

By Ronni Newton

Five juveniles and two adults were arrested by West Hartford Police Thursday evening after a search warrant for a home at turned up property stolen in a car burglary spree that involved approximately 20 vehicles burglarized in the Elmwood area.

Drug charges were also made against the two adults, Alejandro Rodriguez, 18, of Maple Avenue in Newington and Quinton Prince, 21, of Colebrook Street in Hartford, police said.

According to Lt. Eric Rocheleau, work by the West Hartford Police Detective Division led the investigation into approximately 20 car burglaries to a residence at 1195 New Britain Ave. While police were still obtaining a search warrant, officers had the property under surveillance and witnessed a drug transaction.

Prince was stopped as he left the 1195 New Britain Ave. residence, police said, and was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics. Prince’s charges include selling drugs to a 13-year-old, Rocheleua said, and possession of an “illegally-size bladed knife.”

Rocheleau said that once the search and seizure warrant was executed, at approximately 6 p.m., they gained access to the home and recovered stolen items as well as drugs. Rodriguez as well as five juveniles were also arrested.

The recovered items include electronics and other valuables reported stolen from cars in the Elmwood area overnight Wednesday. The burglaries were reported on Thursday, police said.

Rodriguez has been charged with 20 counts of third-degree burglary, six counts of sixth-degree larceny, fifth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny, risk of injury to a child, and possession of less than 0.5 oz. of marijuana. He is being held on $10,000 bond.

Prince has been charged with two counts of possession of narcotics, possession of a hallucinogen, possession of less than 0.5 oz. of marijuana, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, weapons in a motor vehicle, illegal tints, unreadable license plate, and risk of injury to a minor. He is being held on $10,ooo bond.

Two of the juveniles charged were turned over to juveniles authorities, police said.

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